A holiday celebration without hot mulled drinks is just incomplete to me. The fragrance is almost irresistible and just seems to make the holidays even more special. I like this version with a splash of spiced rum, but you can leave out the alcohol and still have a tasty mug of holiday cheer.
[Updated December 2010.]
[Updates: December 2009, featured on Saveur.com in their Best of the Web section; December 2010, featured on BettyCrocker.com]
(HOT CRANBERRY APPLE CIDER
Makes about 3-1/2 quarts.
Equipment
6 quart pot
Ingredients
2 quarts (1.89 liters) apple cider
1-1/2 quarts (1.42 liters) cranberry juice (not cocktail, no sugar added)
1/4 cup (28 g) packed brown sugar
4 sticks cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 orange, thinly sliced
spiced rum or cinnamon schnapps
Preparation
1. Combine all the ingredients in the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes.
2. Strain the fruit slices and spices. Garnish with two or three fresh slices of orange.
3. Pour into stemmed mugs and add a shot of spiced rum or cinnamon schnapps. Serve hot.
great recipe Andrea! I made this with cranberry pomegranate juice for two cookie exchanges this week to rave reviews. Wonderful way to get in the holiday mood, the fragrance was enticing. Happy Holidays!
Wonderful, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of my favorite holiday beverages.
We making this tonight…I just twittered it.. I’m sure my readers will love this recipe
We are SO having this for Thanksgiving this year. Mmmmmm.
Trying it out for Christmas Eve. Sounds delicious!